Counter



Jan. 6, 1942. H. l.. SPAUNBURG 2,269,043

COUNTER Filed Oct. 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l a /C s Z5 .5@ Z Z ,47- TOP/vir Jan. 6, 1942. H. L.. SPAUNBURG COUNTER Filed Oct. 6, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,47- TOP/Vir Pat'ented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITEDV STATES PATENT OFFICE COUNTER Harvey L.`Spaunburg, West Hartford, Conn., as-

signor to Veeder-Root Incorporated, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application october s, 193s, serial No. 233,586 414 claims. (ci. zas-132) My invention relates to counters. It has among its objects to providev an` improved counter of the predetermined type adapted to operate suitable control means Whenfit'has counted a predetermined number of times. A further object i's'to rprovide such) anMimproved counter having improved adjustable predetermining means whereby the `counter maybe set with facility to cou'nt any desired number of times.

When the usual predetermined counter yhas operated, upon reaching the vpredetermined count', it is necessary to manually'reset the counter before Ystarting another count. A further object of my invention is to providea repeating predetermined counter mechanism adapted repeatedly andautoinatically to count a predetermined number of ytimes and operate its control means at the end voff'each count without the necessity for the attendance of .an operatorA to reset the mechanism between, operations. Another object is to provide such a repeating predetermined counter mechanism having improved driving means, controlled by said predetermining mechanism, for driving the counter mechanism alternately in opposite directions during successive predetermined counts. A still further object is to provide electrical control means for said driving means Controlled by the operation of the predetermined counter mechanism. These and other objects and advantages of myimproved construction will, however, hereinafter more clearly appear. 5

In the accompanying'drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration 'one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

f In these drawings;

Figure 1 is a plan View4 of my improved `predetermined counter mechanism, the cover being removed;

Fig'. 2 is va sectional plan view on line 2-2 oi Figure 3;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Figure 1; i Fig. 4 is a vertical Figure 1; Y

Fig. 5 is a verticallsection online 5-5 of Figure 3; y

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-'5 of Figure 4 showing the counting mechanisms free for presetting, and l r l Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical circuits controlling the counter drive.,

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a pair of predetermined counters -A and B section on `line 4-4 of rotated lsimultaneously in the samedirection through an operatingratchet mechanism actuated by a `reciprocable lever 2. Herein, the movement of the lever 2 causes a series of oppositely reading counting mechanisms 3, 4, 5, 6 'and' 1 on the counters .A and B, previously set in a relationship designating a predetermined number, to count'the reciprocations oftheA lever 2 until the predetermined number of operations thereof'has beencounter, and then permit the automatic operation of a controlling frame 8 on one of the counters, which,'in a well known manner, operates a signal or otherwise governs the operation of a machine to be controlled. Herein, the direction of rotation of vcounters A and B is controlled by selective driving mechanism C oppositely actuated by solenoids D, the circuits of which are controlled by switches E governed by the operation of the frames 8 of thecounters.

The predetermined counters A and B are identical, except for. a reversal of the numerals thereon, and, accordingly, a description of the.

counter A will suice.

The counting mechanisms 3 to I are mounted for separate rotation ona shaft 9 having one end xed in an end wall I0 of the casing I, and having its other end fixed in a horizontal plate member II which is fixed to the ca sing and extends across and is spaced from the opposite end wall 10a of the casing, these mechanisms being located in abutting relation on the shaft and normally held against longitudinal movement thereon at one end by the'hub I2 of a counter driving gear I3, also journaled on shaft 9 and occupying the space between the plate 'I I and the lowest order counting mechanism 3.' The highest order counting mechanism 1 is vnormally held against longitudinal movement von the shaft by means of a spacing collar' I4 and a spacing lever I5 pivoted on a shaft I6 which is xed at one end in the casing end wall land at its other end in the plate member Il midway between the counter mechanisms A and B. The gear I3 is xed to its hub I2 and this hub also has fixed thereto a toothed clutch member II, the teeth of which engage the teeth of the twenty-tooth gear I8 on the lowest order counting mechanism 3. The counting mechanism 3 consists of an axial hub, orsleeve, on which are arranged in order the usual twenty-tooth driving gear I8, number wheel I9, predetermining disc 20 having a peripheral notch 2I, locking disc 22 and two-tooth gear 23, all of these elements being staked rigidly together. The counting mechanisms II, 5, 6 and 'I mounted in a usual casing I and adapted to be of higher order are similar to the counting mechanism 3, except that the twenty-tooth gear I8 carries a spacing shoulder adjacent the number wheel I9, providing a narrow space 24 between the gear I8 and the number wheel, later referred Therotation of the lowestr order counting ,mechanism 3 is transmitted to the counting mech- .in contact with the locking disc 22 of the lower order counting mechanisms. Herein, the transfer pinions 25 lare-also provided at the outer end of the full-toothed portion, which meshes with the twenty-tooth gears I8, with an annular web 26, the periphery of which is disposed in the narrow space 24 between the gear I8 and its connected number wheel I9. Thus, each counting mechanism of higher order and its transfer pinion can be moved longitudinally as a unit to disconnect the pinion yfrom the two-tooth gear and locking disc of the adjacent lower order counting mechanism and permit independent rotation of the higher order counting mechanism. Here it will be noted that the spacing lever I has a laterally offset portion 21 normally disposed between the spacing collar |4 and the casing end wall I0. This offset portion 21 is suii'iciently wide so that when the lever I5 is swung upwardly away from the shaft 9, permitting the collar I 4 to be moved into engagement with the end wall I0, the several higher order counting mechanisms with their pinions and also the lowest order mechanism can be slid longitudinally of the shaft 9 to permit the rotation of any selected counting mechanism relative to the others to set the predetermining discs in any desired angular relation representing the predetermined count. When all ofthe wheels have-been thus rotated.l to their desired position, and have been moved downwardly A(Figure 1) to reengage the transfer mechanisms, the spacing lever I5 is then swung back into its normal position between the collar I4 and the casing end wall I0 to hold the counting mechanisms in the desired setting.

When the lever 2 has been operated the predetermined number of times, the counter on which the predetermined number showed at the beginning of the counting operation will have been rotated to zero and the notches 2| of the predetermining discs thereof being in alignment, in accordance with the usual practice in predetermining counters, the frame 8 will swing. toward the counter. The controlling frame 8, which is journaled on the transfer pinion shaft a, has two radially extending arms 28 and 29, the free ends of which are connected by a shaft 30 on which a series of rollers 3| are arranged in abutting relation, one roller being provided for engagement with the notched predetermining disc 20 of each counting mechanism. The radial arm 28 of frame 8 is located in abutting relation with the casing `end wall I0 and the` arm 29 thereof is closely received between the toothed clutch member I1 and the gear I3, thus preventing longitudinal movement of the driving unit, comprising hub I2, clutch member I1 and gear I3, toward the end wall I0 as the counting mechanisms are shifted longitudinally on the shaft 9. This location of arm 29 between the member I1 and gear I3 also prevents longitudinal displacement of the frame 8 on its shaft 25a in the opposite direction, due to the presence of a spacing collar 32 on shaft 9 between the hub I2 and plate II. Here, it should be noted that the plate II has its top edge cut away at 33 to permit the roller carrying shaft to extend beyond plate II, as shown most clearly in Figure 1, to provide an operating connection for actuating suitable control means hereinafter described. The frame.8 is constantly biased by means of a spring 34 in a direction to urge the rollers 3| thereof into engagement with the predetermining discs 20 of the counting mechanisms in a Well known-manner, so that when the predetermined count is reached and the notches in these discs are in alignment, the frame 8 will move to control mechanism, hereinafter described, as the rollers 3|4 enter the notches under the action of spring 34.

In accordance with my invention, means are provided for driving the lowest order counting mechanisms 3 of both counters A and B, in the same direction to count the predetermined number of actuationscf the lever 2, and also to reverse the direction of rotation thereof when the predetermined count has been reached. To this end, the lever 2 is xed on an actuating shaft 35, journaled in the opposite end walls I8, |0a of the casing, this shaft being located near the bottom of the casing and midway between the countershafts 9. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, an actuating lever 36 is pinned to shaft 35 and carries at its free end a pivoted actuating pawl 31 which is-springpressed into engagement with a ratchet wheel 38 suitably keyed to one end of a driving sleeve 39, rotatable on the shaft 35. The actuating arm 36 is formed with a projection providing a fiat abutment face 40 which is normally biased into engagement with an abutment 4| on the casing end wall Illa by a torsion spring 42, the movement' of the actuating arm 36 in an actuating direction being limited by the engagement .of its free end with thebottom wall of the casing 4|a. A usual holding pawl 43 is also provided to cooperate with the ratchet wheel 38, as herein shown, this holding pawl being carried by a stud 44 carried by the casing end wall Illa.

The driving sleeve 39 is freely rotatable on the shaft 35 between the actuating arm 36 which forms an abutment shoulder for one end of the sleeve and a beveled gear carrying sleeve 45 which occupies the space between the other end of sleeve 39 and the casing end wall I0. Further, the driving sleeve 39 is provided with a longitudinal slot 46 at its left hand end, as viewed in Figure 5, in which a pin 41 of a clutch member 48 is slidably received. A second beveled gear carrying sleeve 49 is rotatably mounted on the driving sleeve 39 and has a counterdriving spur gear 59 xed to its right hand end, a spacing sleeve 5| being -provided between the sleeve 49 and the ratchet wheel 38, to position the sleeve 49 and its attached gear 50 against longitudinal movement to the right, Fig. 5. Further, the spur gear 50 is adapted to mesh with an intermediate spur gear 52 rotatably mounted on the intermediate shaft I6. As will be evident from Figure 3, the gear 52 meshes with gears I3, previously described as driving the lowest order wheels of the counters A and B. A beveled gear 55, journaled on a stud 56 in the bottom casing wall 4|a, meshes with bevelled gears 51 and 58 formed integral with sleeves 45 and 49, respectively. It will thus be evident that the driving gears I3 of the counters A and B can be driven through the train of gears 52, 58 in opposite directions by driving the beveled gear 58 directly from the common driving clutch member 48 or by driving this gear 58 through the idler gear 55 and gear 51.

To eiect lthis reversal of drive, the driving clutch member 48 is provided with clutch teeth 59 and 60 on opposite sides thereof which are adapted to engage similar clutch teeth 6l and 62 carried by beveled gears 51 and 58 respectively, the ends of thecooperating sets of clutch teeth beingbeveled to assist in the interengagement thereof upon longitudinal movement of the intermediate clutch member 48. The clutch member 48 is further provided with a central annular groove 63 to receive suitable shipper arms,.hereinafter described,`for moving it oppositely, longitudinally on the sleeve 39 to engage either the cooperating clutch teeth 59, 6| or teeth 6D, 62,

in accordance with the direction of rotation of the counters desired. Here it will also be noted that the entire driving mechanism including the ratchet mechanism and selective drive mechanism is mounted independently of the casing bottom Vwall 4| a with the exception of the beveled idler gear 55 which is rotatably carried thereby.

In accordance with this invention, means are also provided for automatically shifting the intermediate clutch me'mber 48 to reverse the drive of the counters when the frame 8 vof either counter is operated as a result of having the notches in its predetermining discs aligned, which occurs when all of its counting mechanisms are at zero. To this end, the solenoids D carried by the bottom casing wall 41a are arlranged in side by side relation beneath the counters A and B on opposite sides of the actuating shaft I35 and have their armatures 64, 65 pivotally connected with shipper arms 6E, 61 which are pivoted intermediate their ends at 68, 69 on studs 10, 1| upstanding from the bottom casing wall 4ta. Here it will be noted that the armature 64 is connected with its shipper arm 66 by means of a non-magnetic member 64a, which may be of brass. These shipper arms 66, 81 have oppositely offset ends terminating in enlarged circular free ends which are closely received within the groove 63 in the clutch member 48 above and below the latter. The armatures of the solenoid D are so disposed that the armature 64 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Figure 2,`into the magnetic eld of its solenoid, when its winding is energized, while the armature 65 is moved downwardly into the field of its solenoid when its coil is energized. Thus, when the armature 64 is moved upwardly, as a result of energizing its coil, the clutch teeth 60, 62-will be engaged. Similarly, when the armature is moved downwardly, the clutch teeth 59, l6| will be engaged.

The control of the solenoid coils -is effected, in response to the operation of the predetermining frames 8 of counters A and B, by switch operating levers, or cams, 12 fixed to the frames 8 and movable therewith when the rollers enter the notches 2| to engage and depress the switch operating members 13 of usual micro-switches 14, 14a which are xed to the casing bottom wall 4|a beneath counter A and counter B respectively in position to be engaged by the switch operating levers 12 associated therewith.

In Figure 7, a simplified wiring diagram for the solenoids is shown, in which the Power circuit for energizing the solenoids D is connected to the line terminals 15, 15 of terminal block 11. It will be evident from this diagram that whenever the predetermining frame 8 of either tcounter operates to close its switch 14, one of the solenoids D will be energized to shift the clutch member 48 and reverse the drives of both the counters.

The operation of the predetermining frame 8 of either counter A or B is adapted to control a signal, or otherwise govern the operation of a machine to be controlled. For example, the automatic repeating predetermined counting mechanism just described may be used to count screws to be put in a box, and when one gross has been counted, in addition to reversing the counting mechanism for the next count, it may be desired to remove the full box to replace it with an empty one. To initiate such an operation, afmicro-switch 80 is secured by rivets 8| to the plate Il and occupies the space between I this plate and the casing end wall lUa above the ratchet actuating mechanism, previously described. The reciprocable actuating plunger 82 of switch 88 is adapted to be depressed to operate the switch by the bottom cam face 83 of a swinging oscillating member 84 pivoted intermediate its ends at 85 on an ear 86 of the plate Il which is suitably oiset from the plane of plate Il to locate the. oscillating member 84 over the switch actuating plunger 82. The member 84 is adapted to be actuated whenever the frame 8 of either counter A or B is operated following the predetermined count, and to this end a link 88 is pivotally connected at one end to the oscillating member 84 beneath its pivot 85, and has a lost motion connection at its opposite end with the operating extension of the roller shaft 38 previously mentioned of counter B, this lost motion connection here taking the form of a slot 88a in the link 88 of sufiicient length .to permit the predetermining frame 8 to swing through its limited angular movement as the rollers move out of the predetermining notches on the next count following an operation of the frame, without requiring that the link 88 and member 84 be returned by the frame 8. A similar but longer link 90 is pivotally connected at one end to the oscillating member 84 above its pivot, and has a similar slotted end pivotally connected with the roller carrying shaft 30 of the counter A. This link is also provided with an upstanding lug 9|,

into which one end of a tensile spring 92y is hooked, the other end of which is suitably fixed to the casing. It will be evident that the spring 92 constantlybiases both link 88 and link 90 so as to hold the inner end of their slots against shafts 38 ready to be moved and actuate member 84 whenever either frame 8 is operated at the end of the predetermined count. Following the next count registered on the lowest order wheel after such an operation, however, the frame 8 will be returned to its normal position free of the switch actuating linkage, and the spring 92 will automatically return the links to their normal switch open position. i

In operation, the predetermined number representing the number of operations of the lever 2 desired is set up on one of the counters, for example, counter A. This is accomplished by swinging the-spacing arm I5 about its pivot on shaft i6`to permit longitudinal sliding movement of the counting mechanisms 3 to 1, and the rotation oi' these several mechanisms relative Fig. 6). For-purposes of illustration, a count of 24 is shown on the counter A. To set up a count of 24, all ofthe counting mechanisms 3 to l are first moved to the left, thus disengaging the toothed clutch member il from the twenty-tooth gear it of the lowest order unit. The unit 3 can then be rotated to set up the number t thereon, after which this unit is moved to the right to reengage the clutch teeth on member il with the twenty-tooth gear i3 of this lowest order counting mechanism. The next higher order unit d is now rotated to set up the number 2 thereon, and is moved toward the lowest order unit with its transfer pinion 25 to .engage the latter with the two-tooth gear 23 on the lowest order unit 3. The remaining wheels 5, t and l are separately rotated in order, to set up zero thereon, and subsequently moved axially with their transfer pinions into operative engagement with the next lower order unit. The spacing lever l5 is then swung intoA its normal position between the collar ld and the casing end wall lo to hold the counting Aunits against longitudinal movement and in operative position relative to each other, with the predetermined count of 24 set up thereon.

The counting mechanisms of counter B are next similarly adjusted to set up all zeros thereon. In this position of the parts, the predetermining framed of counter B will move counterclockwise, into the position shown in Figure 3, under the action of spring 34 closing the switch 74a, this movement being permitted by the notches 2| in the predetermining discs 20 of counter B, Which,'this counter now reading all zeros, will be aligned and directly opposite the rollers 3| on roller shaft 30 of the frame. Assuming that the power circuit connected to terminals 75, 1d is energized, the closing of switch Ma will cause the armature 64 of solenoid D to be attracted and drawn upwardly to throw the clutch teeth 6U, 62 into engagement, and the -os- The clockwise rotation of gear 5d imparts a 'coun-f ter-clockwise rotation to the intermediate gear 52. which causes the driving gears i3 of the lowest order counting mechanisms 3 of both counters A and B to be rotated in a clockwise direction. As previously stated, the numerals on the counting mechanisms of counters A and B are opposite reading, vas shown in Figure 1, so that the clockwise rotation of these wheels causes the counter f predetermining discs 22 on counter A, now being aligned beneath the vrollers 3| of frame 8, the predetermining frame 8 of counter A will move to close the switch 14. A Closing the switch 'I4 will 'I'his subtracting action on the4 to each other to set up the count desired (see cause the armature S5 to be downwardly actuated by its solenoid D to move the shipper arm Si counter-clockwise (Figure 2) and move the driving element d8 of the clutch upwardly to engage its teeth 59 with the teeth di of bevel gear 5l. As a result of the clockwise rotation of the gear 5i from element d3, which is always 1 driven clockwise by ratchet wheel 3d, the idler.

gear 55 will be rotated counter-clockwise as viewed in Figure 1 to drive the gear 5@ and its connected gear 5l) in a counter-clockwise rotation of gear 5t will cause the intermediate gear 52 vto rotate clockwise and counter driving gears i3 to rotate counter-clockwise, thus causing the counter A to add, and the counter B to subtract. When the counter B has subtracted to zero, the predetermining frame B thereof will move to close the switch lidia, thus completing a cycle of operation.

It will be evident that the above described operation of the predetermining counter mechanism is entirely automatic and will continue indefinitely. Thus, if the lever 2 is continuously actuated, as a result of the operation of a machine, the movements of which are being counted, the predetermined number 24 will be repeatedly counted on the mechanism, and at the end of each count of 24, the predetermining frame 8 of counter A or B will be actuated to reverse the drive. v s

Also, whenever either predetermining frame 8 is actuated, the switch 80 will be operated either to close or open its contacts, as preferred. Thus, when the predetermining frame 8 of counter A is swung clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3, the protruding end of its roller carrying shaft 30 will engage the right-hand end of the slot in frame 8 of either counter, will reversely move the frame 8 as the predetermining disc of the lowest order wheel 3 of the counter operated moves to register 1 and 'cams the rollers 3i out of the notches. The oscillatory member @d and bar e@ will then be returned to their normal position shown, under the action of spring 92. Likewise, when the predetermining frame of counter B is swung Yin a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, the link 88 will similarly move the oscillatory cam member 3d to close the switch t0. and the parts will return to their normal position upon the next actuation of the lever 2. Thus, it will be evident that the power circuit for the solenoids D are energized only long enough to eilect reversal of the drive and that, upon the next counting operation after the predetermined count has been reached, the solenoid mined type which is adapted for continuous operation to repeatedly count the predetermined numb'er set up thereon without intervention from an operator, avoiding the necessity for manually resetting the counter following each predetermined count before startingthe subsequent count. Further, as a result of my invention, new and improved means are provided for operatively connecting and supporting the counting mechanisms of the counter, greatly facilitating the work of setting up the desired predetermined count thereon. Further, it will be evident that by mounting all of the electrical equipment required to effect the reversal of the drive to the counters on the removable bottom 4 la of the casing, so that the solenoids D, switches 14, 14a and the circuit connections therefor. can be Withdrawn from the casing by simply detaching the bottom wall -of the casing, and by mounting the switch 80 on a removable plate Il adjacent the open top of the casing, I have provided a construction which is remarkably easy tol assemble and service.

While I have in this application speciiically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modiiied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. predetermined counter mechanism including two counters, each having a plurality of operatively connected counting mechanisms, driving means operatively connecting the counting mechanisms of lowest order, each ol.' said counters having predetermining mechanism including means rotatable with the counting mechanisms thereof and cooperating predetermining means operable when a predetermined count has been completed, a driving element reversely operable to drive said counter driving means in opposite directions, and means operated upon the operation of the cooperating predetermining means of either counter for reversely operating said element.

2. Predetermined counter mechanism including two counters, each comprising a plurality of operatively connected denominational order counting mechanisms, means operatively connecting the lowest order counting mechanisms of said counters, a common driving means for driving said counters in unison including a driving element, predetermining mechanism associated with each of said counters including predetermining means rotatable with the counting mecha nisms thereof and cooperating predetermining means operable when all of said counting mechanisms of one of said counters are at zero position, and means operated upon the operation oi the cooperating predetermining means of either counter for reversing the drive of said counters.

3. Predetermined counter mechanism including two counters, each having a plurality of operatively connected denominational order counting mechanisms, including a number wheel and a predetermining wheel, and predetermining means cooperating with said predetermining wheels, each counter having its predetermining mechanism operative when its counting mechanisms are at zero, means ior permitting independent rotation of the counting mechanisms of one of said counters to permit a predetermined number to be set up thereon, means operatively connecting the lowest order counting mechanisms of said counters, and driving means common to both counters having means for driving said counter connecting means selectively in opposite directions to cause said first mentioned counter to count from zero and said second mentioned counter to subtract from said predetermined number to zero, and means actuated by the predetermining means of said second counter when the predetermining wheels thereofl reach zero position for reversing said drive.

4. Predetermined counter mechanism including two counters, each having a plurality of operatively connected denominational order counting mechanisms, predetermining mechanism including a predetermining member rotatable with each counting mechanism and cooperating predetermining means operable when the counter has operated a predetermined number of times,l driving means common to both counters having a driving element operatively connected with the lowest order wheel of each counter driving one of said counters in a direction to add and the other in a direction to subtract, and means operable upon the operation of the cooperating predetermining member of either counter for reversing the direction of rotation of said driving element.

5. A predetermined counter mechanism including two counters, each having a plurality of operatively connected denominational order counting mechanisms including a number wheel and a predetermining wheel and cooperating predetermining means operable when the counter has counted a predetermined number of times,

means operatively connecting the lowest order counting mechanisms of said counters for joint rotation, common driving means for said counters including a common driving clutch member and cooperating clutch members selectively connectible therewith for driving said counters in unison in opposite directions, electro-magnetically operated means for actuating said driving clutch member to selectively engage the same with said cooperating clutch members, and means associated with said counters for energizing said electro-magnetic means upon the operation of the cooperating predetermining means of either counter.

6. A predetermined counter mechanism including two counters, each having a plurality of operatively connected denominational order counting mechanisms including a number wheel and a predetermining wheel and cooperating predetermining means operable when the counter has counted a predetermined number of times, means operatively connecting the lowest order counting mechanisms of said counters for joint rotation, common driving means for said counters including a common driving clutch member and cooperating clutch members selectively connectible therewith for driving said counters in unison in opposite directions, electro-magnetically operated means for actuating said driving clutch member to selectively engage the same with said cooperating clutch members, and means associated with said v:ounters for energizing said electro-magnetic means upon the operation of the cooperating predetermining means of either counter and reversely operated to deenergize said electro-magnetic means upon the next counting operation following the operation of said predetermining means.

7. Predetermined counter mechanism including an enclosing casing having a removable casing wall, a predetermined counter in said casing having predetermining means operable upon reaching a predetermined count thereon, means for driving said counter selectively in opposite directions, electro-magnetic means operating said selective drive to drive said counter in opposite directions, and electric switch means governed by said cooperating predetermining means for controlling the energization of said electromagnetic means, said electro-magnetic means and said switch means being mounted on said removable casing wall and withdrawable from said casing upon the removal of said Wall.

-8. Predetermined countex` mechanism includi of said pair of elements to the counting means, and means, controlled by said counting means to disengage said engaging means upon the completion of a predetermined count from the element engaged during such counting operation, and means effective upon said disengagement to cause said clutching means to engage with the other of said pair of elements to conduct a subsequent counting operation.

l2, In a register having dual counting devices adapted to operate in oppositedirections whereby one is adapted to be at a predetermined count when the other is in zero position, means for driving said devices including a reversible conand switch means operable upon the operation of the predetermining members of said counters to control said electro-magnetic means, a second switch in said casing, means operable by the predetermined member of either counter for actuating said second mentioned switch, said electromagnetic means and said rst mentioned switch means being carried by said removablecasing wall and withdrawable from the casing upon the removal of the latter and said second mentioned switch member being mounted on said removable bracket and withdrawable from the casing upon the removal of the latter.

9. A registering device comprising two counters counting in opposite directions, each having a plurality of operatively connected numeral wheels, gearing for simultaneously rotating the units wheels of said counters, a reversing clutch for transmitting a drive 'to said gearing, and means for reversing the action of said clutch whenever the wheels of either one of said counters reach zero position.

10. .A registering device comprising two counters counting in opposite directions and each having a plurality of operatively connected numeral wheels, gearing for simultaneously actuat-` ing the units wheels of said counters, a shaft for driving said gearing, oppositely rotatable gears carried by said shaft, a clutch collar for interchangeably drivingly connecting said gears with said shaft, and means cooperable directly with said counters for reversing said clutch collar whenever the wheels of either one of said counters reach zero position.

11. In a device having counting means operable in either forward or reverse direction to a predetermined count, means for driving said counting means including a reversible connection nection, said devices being each provided with irregular surface providing means and a follower, the irregular surface of each device being so correlated for movement with its counting device as to cause one or the other of the followers to be moved when either one of the devices reaches a predetermined' count, and means responsive to movement of either of saidfollowers to cause said connection to be reversed.

13. In a register having dual cam devices, means including indicator means for setting one of said devices at a position representing a predetermined registration while the other of said devices remains in initial position representing zero, said cam devices being operable in opposite directions during registering operations whereby one is adapted to reach said predetermined position as the other of said devicesv reaches said initial position, means including a reversible connection for driving said devices in opposite directions, means including a follower for each of said cam devices, the cam surface of each device being so correlated as to cause the follower associated therewith to be actuated when the cam device reaches initial position, and means responsive to movement of either of the followers to cause said connection to be reversed.

14. In a register having dual cam devices, each of said devices comprising a plurality of cams interconnected with transfer mechanism, means for setting the cams of one of said devices to represent a predetermined registration while the cams of the other of said devices are at initial position representing zero, means including a reversible connection for driving said devices in opposite directions during registering operations, and means including cam followers associated with the cams of each device for controlling said connection, said last named means being operable when the cams of either device reach initial comprising a pair of driving elements movable in position to reverse said connection.

lopposite directions during a counting operation,

means for clutchably engaging one or the other 

